Australia: Illecebrous seeks third straight in handicap at Cessnock Racecourse

Australian bettors are slowly catching on to Illecebrous, who has won her last two starts at 7-1 and 6 -1 and figures to be a shorter price in a handicap at Cessnock Racecourse on Monday.

Illecebrous, trained by Kris Lees, has won 3 of 6 starts. A 3-year-old Australian-bred filly, Illecebrous had three starts in the second half of 2019 before being given a break of nearly six months. After finishing sixth in her comeback on June 9, Illecebrous won a handicap at six furlongs at Port Macquarie on June 23 and a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Grafton on July 8.

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In both races, Illecebrous closed from off the pace to reach the front in the final sixteenth. A similar trip is possible in Monday’s handicap at 5 3/4 furlongs at Cessnock due to the presence of Tallis and Perfect Style, who have set the pace in recent starts.

Illecebrous, one of seven fillies or mares in the field of 13, will carry 131 pounds, slightly less than topweight Tallis at 132. Tallis, a 3-year-old gelding, may go favored and has excellent credentials.

Trained by Colt Prosser, Tallis won for the third time in his 11th start in a more lucrative handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs on the Kensington course at Royal Randwick Racecourse on July 18 and makes a rapid turnaround for this race.

Tallis is quick enough to lead and starts from post 6. The recent win ended a five-racing losing streak since consecutive starts at Port Macquarie last October. Belinda Hodder rode Tallis to a win at Port Macquarie last October and has the mount on Monday.

The potential for a speed duel will help Illecebrous and A Fortunate Lass, a 4-year-old filly who was beaten a nose in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Scone on July 19. The narrow loss was the best result for A Fortunate Lass in five races since she returned to racing after a 17-month layoff in May.

Cessnock, located north of Sydney, has a seven-race program that begins at 10:55 p.m. Eastern, or 7:55 p.m. Pacific, on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.